International Law and Defining Russia’s Involvement in Crimea and Donbas

Since May 2020, Global Rights Compliance (GRC) has been working to establish the facts of Russia’s involvement in Crimea and Donbas and assess them through the lens of international law. This project culminated in the development of an authoritative legal opinion that examines the applicable international legal framework and clarifies the nature of Russia’s role in both regions.

Read the legal opinion here.

Even eight years after the initial intervention by the Russian Federation, Ukraine continues to struggle against widespread misinformation and legal ambiguity. While Russia’s occupation of Crimea is broadly acknowledged, there is less clarity on the legal implications of that occupation. In Donbas, Ukraine asserts that Russia exercises control via separatist forces, but international consensus remains elusive. No comprehensive analysis had previously assessed these claims through factual and legal scrutiny. The lack of authoritative legal interpretation has hindered Ukraine and its international partners in shaping informed policies and responses.